Sliding door latch mechanism



March 15, 1960 L. E. MINEAH SLIDING DOOR LATCH MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed May 20, 1957 E60 10 INVENTOR. .LflM/QEA/CE E [ll/MEAN,

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March 15, 1960 L. E. MIN EAH 2,928,639

SLIDING DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Filed May 20, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

United States Patent o SLIDING DOOR LATCH MECHANISM Lawrence E. Mineah,Escondido, Calif., assignor to Coast Pro-Seal & Mfg. Co., Los Angeles,Calif., a corporation of California Application May 20, 1957, Serial No.660,261

9 Claims. (Cl. 292-113) This invention relates to a latch mechanism foruse in connection with sliding doors or the like.

The basic object of this invention is to provide a simple latchmechanism, comprising a few simple parts, that is easily andinexpensively manufactured, assembled and installed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a latch mechanism of thischaracter that, despite its simplicity, incorporates importantfunctional features. One of these is a security feature. By a simplearrangement pressure exerted upon the latch bolt by a tool exerted fromthe outside is ineffective to cause retraction of the latch. 1 The boltcan be withdrawn only by manipulation of the actuator which isaccessible only on one side of the door or operable by a lock on theother side. Since the bolt is retracted only by the actuator, automaticcam latching is precluded. Accordingly, if the bolt is accidentallyprojected when the door is open, there is a danger that the keeper willbe injured by closure of the door. The second feature relates to theprevention of such damage. This is accomplished by a simple resilientmounting for the latch bolt.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple adjustingmechanism for ensuring snug cooperation of'the latch bolt with thekeeper. This is conveniently accomplished by a simple adjustable stopoperable in connection with the resilient mounting of the latch bolt.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form inthe drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification.This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that thisdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view of a sliding door incorporating the presentinvention; 7

Figs. 2 and 3 are views of the latch structure in alternate positions,the cover being illustrated in section;

Fig. 4 ,is a view illustrating the latch in cooperative relationshipwith a keeper secured to the door jamb;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating the position ofparts when the latch bolt, in projected position, engages the keeper;and

Fig. 6 is an exploded view showing the manner in which the several partsof the latch mechanism are mounted upon a plate. I

. The latch mechanism 12, embodying the present invention, in Fig. 1 isshown mounted upon a sliding glass door 10. The latch mechanism 12 ismounted atthat part of the door frame which engages the door jamb 11.

A moveable latch bolt 13 has an upwardly extendmg finger 14 that engagesbehind a keeper 15 mounted in the door jamb (see also Fig. 4) in orderto maintain the door closed.

The latch mechanism is mounted in a simple manner. A base 16 (Fig. 2),which has a decorative grip flange 17 at one side, is secured to or uponthe angle or channel frame 18 of the sliding door 10.

The operative or moving parts of the latch mechanism are all mountedupon a rectangular plate 19 (see also Fig. 6). The plate conformsgenerally in size to, and is mounted upon, the forward part of the base16 so that one side of the plate 19 substantially overlies the edge ofthe door. SpacersZil and 21 (Figs. 4 and 5) extend laterally fromopposite sides of the plate. Appropriate securing means, such as screws,pass through the spacers and engage the base 16. 7 i

The plate 19 has flanges 22 and 31 projecting op positely from therespective sides of the plate to provide rigidity to the plate.

The latch bolt 13 is pivotally mounted remote from its finger 14 so thatthe finger swings between operative position as viewed in Fig. 3 andinoperative position as illustrated in Fig. 2. In Fig. 3 the finger 14of the latch bolt 13 is projected beyond the forward side flange 22 ofthe plate 19, and in Fig. 2 the finger 14 isretracted rearwardly of theplate flange 22. r i

The latch bolt 13 is located at that surface of the plate 19 opposed tothe base 16. The latch bolt 13 at a place remote from the finger 14 ispivotally connected to a mounting arm 23 (Figs. 4 and 6) by a pin 24.

The mounting arm 23 normally occupies a fixed position relative to theplate 19. However, the arm 23 is pivotally mounted upon the lowerportion of the plate 19 by the aid of a pin 25 secured at an aperture 26(Fig. 6) of the plate 19. The pin 25 extends through an opening 27 inthe arm 23, and a ring 28 holds the arm 23 on the As shown in Fig. 4,the mounting arm 23 is urged forwardly'against an abutment 29 by the aidof a hairpin spring 30. Accordingly, the axis y of pivotal movement ofthe latch bolt 13, as provided by the pin 24, is normally fixed.

The hairpin spring 30 extends about the pin 25 which mounts the arm 23.One end, as at 30a, is anchored, as

bybeing received in an aperture 31a in the rear flange 31 of the plate19 (Fig. 4). The opposite end of the hairpin spring 30 has a bent end30b which isseated in a notch 23a provided on one side of the arm 23.The ends 30a and 30b of the hairpin spring tend to move apart and urgethe arm 23 angularly in a counterclockwise direction, as

viewed in Fig. 4, such that its upper end engages the abutment'29. V l

The abutment 29co'mprises a headless screw which extends transverselyof, and is threadedly accommodated in, a post 32 carried by the plate19. By adjusting the screw 29, the limited position of the mounting arm23 upon'the latch 'bolt 13 is adjusted. Accordingly, the axis y ofmovement of the latchbolt 13 is likewise adjusted, and this adjustmentis generally in a direction toward and away from the edge of the door.Accordingly, the latch mechanism may be installed upon the door framewith only general reference to the location of the keeper 15. After thelatch mechanism is substantially permanently affixed to the door frame,the screw 29 may be adjusted so that when the latch bolt 13 isoperative, there will be no play between the jamb and the door.

The arm 23 not only serves as an adjustable mounting for the latch bolt13 but also serve as a means whereby inadvertent projection of the latchbolt 13 will be ineffective to cause damage to the jamb. This isillustrated in Fig. 5. Should the latch bolt 13 be inadvertentlyprojected and should the bolt 13 then engage the jarnb, the latch bolt13 and the arm 23 will yield relative to the 7 axis y is small.

I 3 door and the plate 19 by virture of the resilient force exerted byspring 30. The impact is accordingly minimized. The head of the pin 24engages theend of a slot 50 (Fig. 6). in the plate 19 to limit thisretracting movement. V.

In order to operate the latch bolt 13, a latch actuating member intheform of a bell crank lever 33 is provided. This. bell crank lever ispivoted on the outer side of the plate 19 by the'aid of a pin 34. Onearm 35 of the bell crank lever 33 projects rearwardly beyond the rearflange 31 of the plate 19 and is accessible for manipulation. The otherarm 36 of the bell crank lever 33. extends generally upwardly from thepin 34. The end of this arm iseases the compression spring will be at aminimum when the pin 37 is at either end of the slot 38. Accordingly,the

spring'40 determines two stable positions of the bell crank lever 33. a

36 carries a connecting, pin 37 which projects through a clearance slot38 in the support 19 for engaging the latch bolt 13.

The lever 33 andthe pin 37 carried thereby'rotate in arcs centered attheaxis x of the mounting pin 34. The latch bolt 13, on the contrary,rotates about the axis y I of the pin 24 which connects the mounting arm23 With the latch bolt. A'sliding connection between the pin. 37 and thelatch-bolt 13 is, accordingly, necessary. Thus,

an elongate. slot 39 in the latch bolt 13 is provided'in' whichthepin-37carried by the bell, crank lever 33 is received; Theslot 39extends generally radially toward the axis y ofthe latch bolt 13. l

The bell crank lever 33 is movable between. two extremes defined byengagement of the connecting pin'with the ends of the slot 38. Thus, asillustrated in Fig. 2, the bell crank lever is in one limited positioncorresponding to engagement of the pin 37 with the inner end of the slot38. In this position, the latch bolt 13 is rotated downwardly, and theslot 39 of the latch bolt is oriented generally vertically.

In Fig. 3, the pin 37 engages the forward end of the slot 38 in theplate 19, and the latch bolt 13 is in pro jected operative position.

The ends oflthe slot 38 are so located that when the mounting arm 23' isin an intermediate adjusted position,

In this case, the slot 39 of the latch bolt 13' extendsgenerallyhorizontally. 1

The configuration and location of the slot 39 are important for tworeasons. Firstof all, in the projected operative position of the latchbolt 13, the slot 39 must permit movement. of the bolt 13 either forpurposes of adjusting the takeup between. the finger 14 and the keeper15 or to permit resilient retraction against aresilient of the slot 39is a determining factor of the operative the pin 37 is about as fardistant from the axis..y in the forward projected position of the latchbolt 13 as it is in the rearward retracted position of the latch bolt.The ex tent of overcenter movement of. the bell crank lever 33 in Vopposite directions is thus maintained about equaLdes'pite adjustments.V

If the arm 23 is in an intermediate adjusted position,

o'nly a small portion of the slot 39 is operative since mounting arm23'be adjusted, the change in distance of the pin 37 fromthe axis yincreases and a larger portion of the slot 39 becames operative. Theslot is as long as is sufiicient to ensure appropriate sliding movementof the pin and the slot. The bell crank lever 33 is biased so that thetwo ex- 7 treme positions determined by the slot 38 are stable posir'tions corresponding to retracted and advanced positions verticallyabove the axis x of the bell crank lever 33. The

other end 4072 of the spring 40 engages an annular groove 37a in thereduced portion 37b of the connecting pin 37 which projects beyond thebell crank lever arm 36.

The compression of the spring 401will be maximum when the pin is locatedon a line between the axis x of I the hell crank lever 33 and theaperture 41 inwhich the fixed end 40a of the compression spring 40 isaccomorientation of. the latch bolt 13 for various adjusted positions ofthe arm or mounting member 23. Thus, the forward portion of theslot 39in the projected position as viewedin Fig. 4 generally parallels thepath or 'movemeht of the place of attachment of the latch bolt 13 to thearm 23 throughout the range of adjustment or". the arm by the screw '29.Since the arm 23 rotates, true parallelism would be achieved by curvingthe forward portion of the slot 39' arcuately downwardly. But this isunnecessary since the extent of movement of the parts is slight.- Theslot 39 actually curves slightly upwardlywhile its forward portionmaintains the generally parallel relationship with the'path of themounting pin 24. This facilitates an arrangement in which undesired 'orunauthorizedrotation of the latch bolt 13 is prevented.

Thus, the slot 39 must be so located that a downward thrust at the latchbolt surface 14b (Fig. 4) is ineffective to rotate thelatch bolt 13 tothe retracted position of Fig. 2. 'In other words, the device shouldprovide se- .curity;with:a,respect to attempted unauthorized operationreactionon the pin 37 fromthe slot 39 must tend to rotate the bellcranklever ina direction corresponding to projection and not retraction:ofthe bolt 13. j A line a (Fig- 4), normal to the then operativeportion of the slot 39, must pass to the left of the axis mas-viewed inFig. 4. If the slot. 39 extends generally horizontally, this means thatthe arm 36 of the bell crank lever 33 must be angled forwardly in theprojected position as viewed in Fig. 4. f i

a g If these relationships are maintained, the reaction upon the pinwill create .a counterclockwise torque on the bell modated. That linesubstantially bisects the slot 38 by which the movement of the pin- 37is limited. Hence,

for permitting passage of the latch bolt in Fig; 2, there is providedwith the-headless screw 29,

crank lever as viewed in Fig. 4, and hence be ineffective to release:the latch. 7

Taking into consideration the curvature of the slot, the criterion maybe expressed as follows: The center of curvature of the slot 39 must lieon that side of a line joining the axes x and w (Fig. 4) such that atorque reaction will be produced, tending to maintain the bell cranklever in its projected position.

-0verlying'the plate 19 to provide a housing for the structure is agenerally rectangular shell cover 42 that is The shell 42 has anelongate slot 43 13. It also has an elongate slot 44 in its rear sidebeyond which the arm 35. of the bell-crank'lever 33 projects forpurposes of manipulation." Immediately abovethe slot 43, as viewed openon one side.

removal of'the casing 42.

jus'tment may bemade without be held in place by the The casingconveniently may aid'of screws accommodated in threaded openings 20a and21a of the spacers 20 and 21 .(Fig. 2).

an opening 45 in alignment. whereby appropriate ad The plate 19 canreadily be reversed in order that the mechanism operates with a doorthat closes by movement to the left-instead of to the right. All that isrequired is to move the top of the plate to the bottom and the bottom ofthe plate to the top so, that the lever 33 is on the inside and thelatch bolt is on the outside. The keeper 15 has sufiicient width suchthat the reversal is uncritical.

The inventor claims:

1. In a latch structure: a latch having a hook end adapted to extendthrough an opening; a retractible support for the latch for permittinglateral movement of the latch when it encounters an abutment; meansadjustably defining the extent of movement of said support towardunretracted position; resilient means urging the support to activeposition; a pivotal connection between the latch and the support theaxis of which is fixed relative to the latch and the support; a latchactuating member for rotating the latch; a cam' connection, includingsurface forming means and a projection, said connection extendingbetween the latch actuating member and the latch; and means independentof the surface means limiting movement of the actuating member towardlatch projecting position whereby the configuration of the surface meansis a determining factor of the operative orientation of the latch forvarious adjusted positions of the support. v v

2. In a latch mechanism for use with two elements relatively movablewith respect to each other: a support adapted to be mounted on one ofthe elements; a mounting member carried by the support for movement in apath corresponding substantially to the direction of relative movementof the elements; an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of themounting member in a direction toward the other element; resilient meansurging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotallymounted on the mounting member for move ment to a projected position andto a retracted'position,

the axis of relative movement between the latch bolt and the mountingmember being fixed with respect to the latch bolt and the mountingmember; a latch actuating member for rotating the latch bolt; a camconnection including surface forming means and a projection, saidconnection extending between the actuating member and the latch bolt;and means independent of the surface means limiting movement of theactuating member toward latch projection position, whereby theconfiguration of the surface means is a determining factor of theoperative orientation of the latch bolt for various adjusted positionsof the mounting member.

3. Ina latch mechanism for use with two elements relatively movable withrespect to each other: a support adapted to be mounted on one of theelements; a mounting member carried by the support for movement in apath corresponding substantially to the direction of relative movementof the elements; an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of themounting member in a direction toward the other element; resilient meansurging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotallymounted on the mounting member for movement to a projected position andto a retracted position, the axis of relative movement between the latchbolt and the mounting member being fixed with respect to the latch boltand the mounting member; a latch actuating member carried by the supportfor rotating the latch bolt; a pin-and-slot connection between theactuating member and the latch bolt; and means independent of thepin-and-slot connection limiting movement of the actuating member towardlatch bolt projecting position so that the pin is spaced from the endsof the slot when the latch bolt is projected, the slot having a terminalportion substantially paralleling the path of movement of said axiswhereby said latch bolt maintains its angular orientation uponadjustment of said mounting member.

4. In a latch mechanism for use with two elements relatively movablewith respect to each other: a support adapted to be mounted on one ofthe elements; a mounting member carried by the support for movement in apath corresponding substantially to the direction of relative movementof the elements; an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of themounting member in a direction toward the other element; resilient meansurging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotallymounted on the mounting member for movement to a projected position andto a retracted position, the axis of relative movement between the latchbolt and the mounting member being fixed with respect to the latch boltand the mounting member; a pivoted latch actuating member carried by thesupport for rotating the latch bolt; said latch bolt having a slotextending generally radially of the axis of movement of the latch bolt;a pin carried by the actuating member and cooperable with the slot forrotating the latch bolt; and means independent of the pin-and-slotconnection limiting movement of the actuating member toward latch boltprojecting position so that the pin is spaced from the ends of the slotwhen the latch bolt is projected, the slot having a terminal portionsubstantially paralleling the path of movement of said axis whereby saidlatch bolt maintains its angular orientation upon adjustment of saidmounting member. a

5. In a'latch, -mecha nism for use with two elements relatively movablewith respect to each other: a support adapted to be mounted-on one ofthe elements; a mounting member carried by the support for movement in-apath corresponding substantially to the direction of rela tive movementof the elements; an adjustable stop for limiting the movement of themounting member in a direction toward the other element; resilient meansurging the mounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotallymounted on the mounting member for movement to a projected position andto a retracted position, the axis of relative movement between the latchbolt and the mounting member being fixed with respect to the latch boltvand the mounting member; a pivoted latch actuating member carried by thesupport for rotating the latch bolt; said latch bolt having a slotextending generally radially of the axis of movement or the latch bolt;a pin carried by the actuating member and cooperable .with the slot forrotating the latch bolt; and means independent of the pin-and-slotconnection limiting movement of the actuating member toward latch boltprojecting position so that the pin is spaced from the ends of the slotwhen the latch bolt is projected, the slot having a terminal portionsubstantially paralleling the path of movement of said axis whereby saidlatch bolt maintains its angular orientation upon adjustment of saidmounting member; the operative portion of the slot, when the latch boltis projected, extending in a direction such that a retracting force onthe latch bolt urges the actuating member in a direction correspondingto projection of the latch bolt.

6. In a latch mechanism for use with two elements relatively movablewith respect to each other; a support adapted to be mounted on one ofthe elements; a pivoted mounting arm; an adjustable stop for limitingmovement of the arm in one direction; resilient means urging themounting member toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotally mounted on thearm about an axis fixed with respect to the arm and the latch bolt, saidlatch bolt having a finger, the latch bolt being movable to a projectedposition in which the finger extends substantially normal to the path ofmovement of the arm adjacent said stop and to a retracted position; alever carried by the support for rotating the latch bolt while the armis against said stop; said latch bolt having a slot extending generallyradially of the axis of movement of the latch bolt; said lever having apin engaging in the slot; and means independent of the pin-and-slotconnection limiting movement of the lever toward latch bolt projectingposition so that the pin is spaced from the ends or the slot when thelatch bolt is projected; the operative por' tion of theslot, when thelatch bolt is projected; extend ing substantially parallel to the pathof movement of said axis whereby said latch bolt maintains its angularorientation upon adjustment of said arm.

7. Ina latch mechanism for use with two'elements relatively movable withrespect to each other: a support adapted to be mounted on one oftheelements; a pivoted mounting arm; an adjustable stop for limitingmovement of the arm in one direction; resilient meansnrging the mountingmember toward the stop; a latch bolt pivotally mounted on the arm aboutan axis fixed with respect to the amend the latch bolt; said latch bolthaving a finger, the latch bolt being movable to a projected position inwhich the finger extends substantially'normal to the path of movement ofthe arm adjacent said stop and to a retracted position; a lever carriedby thevsupport for rotating the latch bolt while the arm is against saidstop; said latch bolt having a slot extending generally radially of theaxis of movement of the latch bolt; said lever having a pin engaging'inthe slot; and means independent of the pin-and-slot connection limitingmovement of the lever toward latch bolt projectingposition so that thepin is spaced from the ends ofthe" slot'when the latch bolt isprojected; the operative portion ofthe slot, when the latch boltisprojected, extending substantially parallel to the path of movement ofsaid axis whereby said latch bolt maintains-its angular orientation uponadjustment of said arm; the operative portion of the slot, whenthetlatchbolt is projected, extending in a direction such that the'line'of reaction'between themsorrelative-mevcment between the' latch bolt andthe mounting member being fixed with r'espect to the latch bolt and themounting member; "a latch "actuating member carried by the support -fo rrotating the latch 1 tion upon adjustment of'said mounting member;andirethe slot and the pin passeson that' side of the axis of the leversuch that. movement of the latch bolt .urges the lever further towardthe projected position; 1

8. In a latch mechanism for use with twoelements I relatively movablewith respect, to each other: a support adapted to be mounted on one ofthe elements; amount ing member carried by the support for movement in apath corresponding substantially to the directionof relative movement ofthe elements; anadjustable stop for limiting the movement of themounting member in' a.

direction toward the other element; resilientlmeans urging the mountingmember toward the stop; a latch bolt silient ineansurging the latchactuating member toward said latch bolt projecting position} 9.1a alatch structure: a plate; an arm pivotally mounted on one side of theplate; a screw adjustably mountedat one edgeof the plate and engageablewith the arm' for limiting movement thefeofin one direction; a springanchored to the arm and the-plate for urgin the arm toward said screw; alatch boltffixedly (pivoted on the arm at a place spaced from the axisof the arm and onsaid one side' of said plate for swihging move ment ofan operative portion thereof to a'proj'eeted posi tion heyonds'aitloneedge of the plate and to "aretracte ld position "in juxtaposedrelationship to said plate'ga lever pivoted on the other side of saidplate-Land having one end projecting'b'e'yond another edge of the plate;a pin carried at the other end: of said lever; said" latch bolt-hav- 30ing a slot in which said pin is received; there being a slot in theplate to permit passageof said pin on opposite sides of said plate; theends of said plate slot limiting opposite movement of thelever byengagement with said pin; single spring means connected to the plate andsaid lever determining stable-positionsof said lever at it's respectivelimiting positions; the latch bolt slot extending onopposite sides ofthe pin when the latch bolt is in projected position; and a handlehaving provisions for selectively mounting the plate ateither one of itssides without changing the relative" location of said one edge 7 of saidplate alongthe handle.

References Cited .in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS L BonFeb. 1, 1955 Eads Apr. 23, 1957

